Advice for a newbie

mastiffluvr · Joined: 04 Sep 2008 Posts: 2

Hello I am nearing my second semester of my Radiography program. I have major issues to overcome. I obsess over everything and forget some of the other details. I have been to 3 clinical sites so far. Today happens to be a very bad day and am doubting myself.Everytime a new tech comes in the room with me ...its like I just entered hell. I completely forget what I am doing. Has this happened to anyone?When do you start to feel more confident. I just dont know what these sites expect of people. Just because you comp something do they expect you not to make mistakes? How do you overcome this/ Everyone says oh you will be fine, and I always get complimented on my pt care. I hate to have to expose a pt twice for something I could have prevented. Are all these feelings normal have people just cried when they got home and felt so terrible?

lmh47 · Joined: 18 Mar 2008 Posts: 18 Location: jacksonville fl

I started 3 days ago and luckly its a hospital based program and so we do clinicals more than class. In these three days, i have already taken in alot of info. My rotation for two weeks is in the ER, The rad tech there has been so nice and im suppose to be just observing but i asked her if i can do anything and she has let me do alot so far. She said if im in her way, i am doing my job as a student.
I get to go with her and take the portable Xray to the trauma center and help with the xray.
Sometimes she asks me to do something and i forget what i was taught, then think and it finally comes to me and i do it.
Luckly i have a nice woman on this rotation. I am sure if i get some mean intimidating RT it will be different.

Just be open minded. Your going to mess up and your going to forget.
Thats why your a student. Just go over things in your head step by step.
I think also since you are not at the clinical site everyday that makes it hard to forget things.

you can do it!

mastiffluvr · Joined: 04 Sep 2008 Posts: 2

Thanks for the advice. I do go to a hospital next month for 16 weeks. I start going 3 days a week vs the 2 days I go now. Your right about the more you are there. I am looking forward to being there more but also reluctant at the same time.

gulfshrimp · Joined: 21 Jun 2008 Posts: 3

I know how you feel because I was that student last semester. My best advice is to stop obsessing. You are going to make mistakes. ALOT of mistakes. When you are a tech, you will still have to do repeats. Also remember that the techs who are being hard on you were students too. I had the confidence problem and sometimes still do. You just have to take a step back and remember that you do know what you are doing. Don't doubt yourself and don't be intimidated.

The worst thing you can do is let your fear of messing up keep you from doing every x-ray you can. If you are uncomfortable with something, do it over and over. Every time you make a mistake you are learning.

Try not to take the stress home with you. I know thats hard. Right now I'm the only student at the most dreaded clinical site in my program. Everyone who's been there hated it. I do too. The techs here are extremely mean and have a reputation for making students cry. They are not encouraging at all. I just try to remember that I am there to learn and get lots of practice. I try not to let the techs get to me and just do what I need to do.

You can get through this and we are all in it together. Good luck! Wink